A Wesleyan Ordo

John Wesley’s use of an “order” of salvation is rooted in the existence and recognition of original sin and God’s response to it. According to Wesley, salvation from original sin begins with justification, continues in sanctification and ends with glorification.

The following is a summary of an article found at https://www.featheredprop.com/theological-works/the-order-of-salvation-in-john-wesleys-theology/ .

1. Adam was Created in the Image of God. The Original Condition of man at creation was wholly "good".

2. Original Sin. A Fallen Condition since Adam sinned where man became unable to reflect the full image of God. This spiritual death is inherited by all who are born through Adam.

3. GRACE: Prevenient Grace Prompts Conversion. Conversion as prompted by prevenient grace. This is God’s divine love that surrounds all humanity and prompts our first awareness of God and our desire for deliverance from our sin. It is this love, Wesley believes, that moves us toward repentance and faith.

4. GRACE: Justifying Grace Effects Justification. After conversion is prompted by prevenient grace, Wesley believes it is effected by justifying grace. This is God’s love that pardons the repentant sinner and accepts him/her into God’s family.

5. Justification. justification is the pardoning of the individual's sin and is making him righteous and just before God. Justification is provided only for the sinner, the lost and ungodly and known by them by faith and is not earned. (distinct from new birth and is what God does for us whereas new birth is what God does in us.) Justification deals effectively with Original Sin. The assurance of justification could be known and understood by the believer in her or his life. This assurance comes from the witness of God’s Spirit with our own that “we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

6. New Birth. The very moment one is justified he is born anew, but absolutely justification precedes the new Birth. This assurance is evidenced y a vibrant faith which gives power over sin and hope.

7. GRACE: Sanctifying Grace. This is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

8. Sanctification. Though sin no longer rules the newly born Christian, it still resides in that person’s life. The newborn Christian may soon find that sin in their life has not been destroyed, but only suspended, is not dead, but only stunned. The presence of sin in the believer’s life is defeated by sanctification. Sanctification is the process of change in a believer’s life from sinfulness unto holiness. Becoming “more dead to sin” while we become “more and more alive to God.” This holiness is holiness of living and is distinct from the righteousness reckoned to us by God through Christ. The holiness that we receive from God through Christ cannot be improved upon or added to. That is perfect, absolute and effective holiness. The holiness that Wesley taught, preached and sought to exemplify was holiness in living. It included good works, works of mercy and a rejection of sinful living. And just as we are justified by faith, Wesley believed we are sanctified by faith. Potentially sanctificaiton could be completed even before glorification.

9. Glorification. The final step in salvation is glorification. This is the end result of our Christian life. It includes the changing of our mortal state to become “like him” (1 John 3:2). Wesley, however, sees glorification as changing not just the state of humankind but of all creation, that was corrupted by the fall of Adam. In that day, not only our salvation, but the redemption of all the cosmos will be complete.